Nigeriens broke through barricades at the French military base in the capital, Niamey, as tens of thousands protested for the withdrawal of the 1,500 foreign troops. France's President Emmanuel Macron has refused to pull out soldiers from the former French colony, causing the protests to intensify.
Video footage captured the moment protesters jumped the barriers while Niger's soldiers stood by, overwhelmed by the massive crowds. Protesters displayed coffins covered with the flag of the former colonial power and signs reading, "France is a leech that sucks the blood of Nigeriens."
Niger's coup leaders sent military reinforcements to prevent protesters from storming the base. After the coup that overthrew the government of Mohamed Bazoum, a close ally of the West, a month ago, Paris refused to recognize the authority of the coup leaders, threatening, "The French army is ready to react."
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